USA Drops 4-1 Decision to Canada at 2013 Under-18 Series
The U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team was defeated by Canada, 4-1, here today in the first of three games between the two teams at the 2013 Women's Under-18 Series.
"We got outworked at times today and that was the difference against a hungry and well-prepared opponent," said head coach Jeff Kampersal. "We'll address some things we can improve and will bring a better effort tomorrow in what's sure to be a great game."
A closely contested first period heated up during the final minute of the frame with Canada taking a 1-0 lead at 19:25 on a goal by Kerly Heffernan. Taylar Cianfarano (Oswego, N.Y.) responded just 17 seconds later, poking the puck away from a defender and firing a shot over the shoulder of Canadian goaltender Shea Tiley to tie the game heading into the intermission.
Canada pulled ahead at 5:18 of the second period when Victoria Bach received a long outlet pass and broke in alone, tucking the puck past U.S. netminder Erin O'Neil (Minnetonka, Minn.). Despite outshooting Canada, 12-6, the period ended with Canada ahead by a 2-1 count.
At 5:49 of the third period, the visitors extended their lead to 3-1 on a power-play goal by Hannah Miller. Heffernan added an empty-net goal, her second of the game, at 17:15 to round out the scoring.
The series resumes tomorrow (Aug. 23) at 4:00 p.m. EDT at the Olympic Center's 1980 Herb Brooks Arena, with the third and final game set for Saturday (Aug. 25) at 10:00 a.m. Both games will be carried live by FASTHockey at usahockey.fasthockey.com.
